TNAG-0663-FCO40-812-Immigration-from-China-to-Hong-Kong-1977 — Page 112

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Mr Murray

Parliamentary Unit

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HONG KONG: PQ: SIR JOHN RODGERS MP

1.

Sir John Rodgers MP (Conservative

Sevenoaks) has put down a

Question for Oral Answer on 2 March on illegal immigration from China into Hong Kong. We are first in order on that day but it is unlikely that this question will be reached.

2. Sir John's interest in Hong Kong appears only slight but generally favourable to the Hong Kong Government and establishment.

He is, however, Chairman of the Anglo/Taiwan group which would explain his interest in illegal immigration from China. On 16 January 1975 Sir John wrote to Mr Hattersley on HMG's (then) recent change in policy with regard to the return to China of illegal immigrants into Hong Kong covering a letter he had received from the "Free China Relief Association", a quasi-official Taiwanese organisation which was then writing to MPs on the subject of illegal immigration to suggest that illegal immigrants returned to China were harshly treated there. A year later Sir John wrote again but Lord Goronwy-Roberts' reply of 16 February 1976 only partly convinced him and, in a further letter to the Minister, Sir John said that he would ponder the latter's "wise words and perhaps get in touch later". Presumably this is what Sir John is now doing. The subject of illegal immigration from

China is not at present topical in Hong Kong the most recent FLAGS F Questions on this subject were as long ago as 28 January and and G

12 February last year, by Sir Anthony Royle MP (Conservative Richmond-upon-Thames) and Mr Robin Cook MP (Labour Edinburgh Central) 3. For reasons set out in an attached Background Note, some of the information for which Sir John asks should best not be stated publicly: further to provide full answers to all the parts of his Question would demand an Answer of unacceptable length. Under the circumstances, I recommend that the Minister replying give a short Answer and follow it up with a letter. If the Minister agrees to this procedure I shall submit a draft separately. I submit a draft reply based on information supplied by the Hong Kong Government. FED Concur. While I understand

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